Senate debates

Monday, 1 September 2014

• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Iraq (1 speech)
    I seek leave to move a motion relating to parliamentary approval for the deployment of Australian troops in Iraq. Leave not granted.
  • Suspension of Standing Orders (9 speeches)
    Pursuant to contingent notice, I move: That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent me moving a motion to provide for the consideration of a matter—namely, a motion...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Seniors Health Card and Other Measures) Bill 2014; Second Reading (3 speeches)
    The Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Seniors Health Card and Other Measures) Bill 2014. Has a number of schedules. We know that here and in the House today the major focus on this...
  • Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Seniors Health Card and Other Measures) Bill 2014; In Committee (4 speeches)
    As I said in my remarks in the second reading debate, we are keen in this bill to split the element to do with the seniors health card from the other machinery of government issues. We oppose the...
  • Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Seniors Health Card and Other Measures) Bill 2014; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    I move: That this bill be now read a third time.
  • Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Bilateral Agreement Implementation) Bill 2014; Second Reading (58 speeches)
    ( I rise to speak in opposition to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Bilateral Agreement Implementation) Bill 2014. Labor opposes this bill because it clearly...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Iraq and Syria (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Defence, Senator Johnston. Can the minister update the Senate on current and proposed Australian government involvement in humanitarian and other action in Iraq?
  • Royal Commission into the Home Insulation Program (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Attorney-General, Senator Brandis. Can the Attorney-General acquaint the Senate with the findings of the report of the Royal Commission into the Home Insulation Program,...
  • Pensions and Benefits (30 speeches)
    My question is to the Assistant Minister for Social Services, Senator Fifield. I refer to the government's heartless and short-sighted decision to axe the dementia and severe behaviours...
  • Anzac Centenary (6 speeches)
    My question is to the very capable Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Senator Ronaldson. Can the minister update the Senate on how the coalition government is supporting local communities to mark...
  • Iraq (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Abetz. Has the Prime Minister taken legal advice as to whether or not Australia's participation in military action...
  • Medibank Private (12 speeches)
    My question is directed to the Minister for Finance, Senator Cormann. Is the minister aware of assertions that the sale of Medibank Private will push up the cost of premiums, and can the minister...
  • East Timor (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Attorney-General. It relates to reports in the Fairfax media today on Witness K, the former ASIS officer and key witness for East Timor in the dispute over the Timor Sea oil...
  • Live Animal Exports (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Abetz, representing the Minister for Agriculture. Will the minister inform the Senate of the importance of live animal...
  • Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council (11 speeches)
    My question without notice is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Abetz. Last Tuesday, the Prime Minister said, 'This is a government which is dedicated to science.' In light...
  • Higher Education (20 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Human Services, Senator Payne, representing the Minister for Education. Can the minister inform the Senate how students will benefit from the government's...
  • Aged Care (7 speeches)
    My question is to the Assistant Minister for Social Services. Can the minister advise the Senate of the reasons for the design failure of the dementia and severe behaviours supplement?
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Answers to Questions (7 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by ministers to questions without notice asked by Opposition senators today. Debate ensued. Question put and passed. Since taking office a...
• Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
  • (4 speeches)
    I seek leave to make a personal explanation under standing order 190, as I claim to have been misrepresented.
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (2 speeches)
    by leave—I move: That the Joint Select Committee on Northern Australia be authorised to hold a private meeting otherwise than in accordance with standing order 33(1) during the sitting of...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Child Care (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) acknowledges: (i) the support Family and Early Learning Centres provide to children and families around Australia, and (ii) the contribution of these centres to...
  • Australian Animal Health Laboratory (2 speeches)
    (): That the Senate— (a) notes recent cuts to jobs at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), which conducts...
  • Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (4 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes: (i) That the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund) has made significant gains in slowing the spread of these diseases,...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That— (a) any proposal pursuant to standing order 75 shall not be proceeded with; and (b) a ministerial statement relating to Iraq be called on immediately and...
• Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
  • Iraq and Syria (47 speeches)
    On behalf of the Prime Minister, I table a ministerial statement on Iraq and I move: That the Senate take note of the document. Speaking to that, if I may, can I first of all inform the chamber...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Royal Commission into the Home Insulation Program; Tabling (1 speech)
    I table the report of the Royal Commission into the Home Insulation Program.
  • ABC and SBS Efficiency Review; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I also table a document relating to the order for production of a document concerning an ABC and SBS efficiency review.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Community Affairs Legislation Committee; Additional Information (2 speeches)
    I present additional information received by the Community Affairs Legislation Committee in its inquiry into the provisions to the National Health Amendment Pharmaceutical Benefits Bill 2014.
  • Community Affairs References Committee; Corrigenda to Report (1 speech)
    I present a further corrigendum to the report of the committee of Australia's health-care system. Ordered that the document be printed.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Corporations Amendment (Streamlining of Future of Financial Advice) Bill 2014, Competition and Consumer Amendment (Industry Code Penalties) Bill 2014; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That these bills may proceed without formalities, may be taken together and be now read a first time. Question agreed to. Bills read a first time.
  • Corporations Amendment (Streamlining of Future of Financial Advice) Bill 2014, Competition and Consumer Amendment (Industry Code Penalties) Bill 2014; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I table a revised explanatory memorandum relating to Corporations Amendment (Streamlining of Future of Financial Advice) Bill 2014 and I move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek...
  • Minerals Resource Rent Tax Repeal and Other Measures Bill 2014; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time. Question agreed to. Bill read a first time.
  • Minerals Resource Rent Tax Repeal and Other Measures Bill 2014; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speech read as follows— MINERALS RESOURCE RENT...
  • Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Bilateral Agreement Implementation) Bill 2014; Second Reading (57 speeches)
    It is a great pleasure to be speaking to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Bilateral Agreement Implementation) Bill 2014 today—one which I wholeheartedly...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Queensland Government (8 speeches)
    I rise tonight to address some serious allegations made in the Senate earlier today by Senator Waters. Those allegations were directed at the Premier of Queensland, the Hon. Campbell Newman. This...
  • Australian Air Force Cadets (1 speech)
    I wish to speak about an organisation I have been honoured to be closely associated with: the Australian Air Force Cadets. In the past month, I have had the privilege of spending time...
  • Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1 speech)
    To begin: While not necessarily essential for physical survival, I believe that an independent, quality, public broadcaster—free from commercial influence—is essential for the...
  • St Patrick's Technical College (1 speech)
    I rise to talk about St Patrick's Technical College near Elizabeth in South Australia. One of the great memories I have of my time in the other place as member for Wakefield was working with the...